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Ecosystem Roundup: Binance founder faces the music | Microsoft to invest US$2.2B for Malaysia’s AI infra | Betagro launches US$30M VC fund


Dear reader,

Changpeng Zhao, the once-celebrated figurehead of Binance and a prominent name in the cryptocurrency realm, now faces a four-month prison sentence after admitting to violating US money laundering laws.

This development not only marks a significant chapter in the ongoing narrative of regulatory scrutiny surrounding crypto exchanges but also underscores the repercussions for those who disregard legal frameworks.

Despite being spared the harsher three-year term sought by prosecutors, Zhao’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the accountability demanded of industry leaders. Judge Richard Jones, in delivering the verdict, emphasised Zhao’s failure to prioritize regulatory compliance over Binance’s expansion, highlighting a pervasive issue within the sector.

The sentencing also sheds light on the broader challenges facing the cryptocurrency industry, as it grapples with regulatory scrutiny and strives to establish trust among investors.

As Zhao faces the consequences of his actions and Binance navigates a path toward redemption, the industry braces for heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Zhao’s case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the necessity of stringent compliance measures in an evolving financial landscape.

Sainul,
Editor.

——-

NEWS

Binance crypto founder Zhao sentenced to four months in prison
Prosecutors said Binance employed a “Wild West” model that welcomed criminals, and did not report more than 100,000 suspicious transactions with designated terrorist groups including Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

GoTo narrows adjusted losses by 89%, boosts gross revenue by 18% in Q1
The company remains on track to meet its target “to maintain adjusted EBITDA profitability for the full year of 2024,” according to CFO Jacky Lo.

Microsoft to empower 2.5M Southeast Asians with AI skills by 2025
Microsoft aims to build an inclusive, AI-ready workforce; bridge the cybersecurity talent gap; enhance developers’ AI skills; and empower nonprofits to maximise their social impact.

Betagro launches US$30M foodtech, agritech VC arm
Betagro Ventures will focus on projects that tackle consumer access to safe and high-quality foods, support green protein sources, and create green agrifood supply chains.

Microsoft to invest US$1.7B for AI, cloud infrastructure in Indonesia
The company will also facilitate AI skills training for 840K Indonesians; AI is estimated to contribute nearly US$1T to SEA’s GDP by 2030, with Indonesia poised to capture US$366B of that figure.

Microsoft to invest US$2.2B for Malaysia’s AI infrastructure
Similar to its Indonesia pledge, this would mark Microsoft’s largest single investment in Malaysia; Part of its strategy is to offer AI education to 200,000 Malaysians, with the southern region of Johor expected to become an AI hub.

SGX-listed 17Live posts 26% rise in 2023 adjusted earnings, revenue falls
Revenue for the period fell 23% to US$279M; The 37% uptick in operating income was attributed to effective cost discipline and heightened focus on returns on investment.

Indonesia’s Vidio aims to double subscribers to 8M ahead of IPO
Despite higher paid subscriptions, Vidio comes in second to Netflix on metrics like premium viewership and monetisation, per data from consulting and research firm Media Partners Asia.

Razer ordered to refund US$1.1M for misleading mask marketing
The US Federal Trade Commission accused Razer of marketing its masks as N95-grade without undergoing the necessary testing and certifications from the country’s authorities.

Ninja Van lays off about 10% of regional tech team
‘Following a recent cost evaluation, it was determined that less than 10% of the region’s tech team is no longer required’, a Ninja Van spokesperson confirmed to Tech in Asia.

eFishery CFO Dhianendra Laksmana steps down
The Indonesian aquaculture unicorn said he resigned due to personal reasons and preferences; During his time at eFishery, Laksmana spearheaded initiatives that expanded the company’s financial reach and operational capabilities.

Talino Venture Studios launches, invests in inclusive instant payment system Higala
An inclusive instant payment system, Higala connects thrift banks, rural banks, and microfinance institutions currently excluded from payment networks because of high switching and on-ramp costs.

Openspace leads Series funding round of HK-based Fano Labs
HSBC and Greater Good Investment are the other backers; Fano offers “language AI technologies” including an AI transcriber, chatbot, and voicebot that can handle conversations in multiple languages or even involve specific dialects.

Ex-AWS exec launches startup to power enterprise systems with AI
Bernard Leong’s startup Dorje AI aims to build a financial enterprise resource planning system powered by AI; Dorje AI is in the product testing phase but is accepting waitlist signups on its website.

DailySocial.id pivots to AI-powered research, consultancy with DiscoveryShift
Indonesia-based DailySocial.id laid off all of its staff as part of a major restructuring; DiscoveryShift said in a statement that its offerings range from strategy development to operational implementation.

Twitch launches TikTok-like short-video feature
Unlike traditional Twitch livestreams, which focus on long gaming or vlogging sessions, Discovery Feed shows users brief highlights from these lengthy videos; This comes just days after the US passed a bill that would ban the Chinese short-video app unless sold.

FEATURES

‘Future of fintech innovation will be a constant dance between progress and security’
AI enables real-time analysis and automated responses to potential fraud and it has the ability to adapt and learn from new fraud patterns continuously.

Here are the five innovative startups we met at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park
Since its launch in 2001, HKSTP has groomed 12 unicorns, over 14,000 research professionals, and over 1,700 startups from 27 countries.

Vatic AI to focus on financial services clientele following appointment of new President & CEO Dilip Krishnan
Vatic AI aims to leverage its Qscore product, which utilises AI to predict the credit qualifications of anonymous online audiences.

These 7 tech titans are empowering your business with reliable cloud services
The popularity of cloud services stems from various factors, including cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and scalability.

FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Can a small business owner be sustainable in a sustainable manner?
As a business owner, I’m always seeking ways to make my business practices more sustainable while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Bridging the skills gap: Tailored L&D programs for cultivating top tech talent in Asia
Modern neuroscience offers fascinating insights that can drastically improve how we approach Learning and Development (L&d) in tech.

Unlocking agritech’s potential: Can Southeast Asia rise to the challenge?
In an era where agriculture both drives and bears the brunt of climate change, digital technologies offer a path to empowerment.

Beyond growth: Why succession planning matters for startups
Implementing a robust succession plan helps startups maintain a talent pipeline, retain institutional knowledge, and ensure seamless transitions.

How these firms streamline businesses and power innovation in API economy
Discover how these 7 API companies are reshaping industries, streamlining business operations, and driving innovation in the digital economy.

Charting the roadmap for the era of pervasive AI
Leaders need to grasp the current AI landscape, its key technologies, opportunities, and how organisations can advance AI technology.

How sustainability reporting and supply chains can drive ASEAN’s competitiveness
Sustainability equals profitability in the long run, urging ASEAN to prioritise green manufacturing for global competitiveness.

The death of distance: How innovation is resolving cross-border payment hurdles
The advent of fintech has ushered in a paradigm shift in cross-border payments, rendering the concept of distance obsolete.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

FlyORO soars into green skies with its sustainable aviation fuel blending solutions
Insights into FlyORO’s technology roadmap reveal a focus on modular SAF blending services, aiming for greater efficiency and substantial carbon emission reductions.

The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business
While there is a distinct relationship between gender inequality and climate change, investment mandates rarely combine both of these lenses.

Wildfire Energy aims to eliminate landfills by turning residual wastes into renewable energy, hydrogen
Wildfire Energy has developed modular plants which can be easily deployed and used to convert biomass and waste into renewable energy products at low cost.

Startup funding rounds: A handbook from seed to exit
Funding rounds mark important milestones for a private business as it often comes up with a new valuation of the firm in the market.

Kampd intends to reshape professional networking with a unique approach
The startup’s mission is to provide purposeful content, solve the challenge of fragmented business content, and differentiate from platforms like LinkedIn.

How AI breaks ground in bridging the mental health care divide
We’re at the precipice of what could be a seismic shift in how we understand and address mental health.

Hacking your way into angel impact investing with just US$10K
As the Head of Special Projects at Top Tier Impact, I will give you these much-needed tips on how to start angel impact investing.

Crowdfunding for startups: Where to begin and how to go about it
Crowdfunding changes the game by reducing dependence on conventional and sometimes exclusive means of financing.

As Glints CTO, this is what I want you to know about building an engineering team in Southeast Asia
There are two lessons that I learned the hard way when building Glints engineering team in this region.

NFTs for fundraising: What you need to know before jumping on the bandwagon
When it comes to using NFTs for fundraising, there are success stories, but there are also lessons for the rest of us.

Embracing AI’s promise: Navigating the future of marketing
In an era where AI is reshaping the marketing industry, we explore how marketers, particularly in Singapore, can unlock AI’s potential.

Embracing global entrepreneurship: Redefining startup success beyond Silicon Valley
Throughout our quest to support founders, we have found that a collaborative and strategic approach is always required when building startup communities.

ECHELON

JDI hosts Vietnam Pavilion: Spotlighting innovation at Echelon X
JDI unveils Vietnam’s tech pioneers at Echelon X, showcasing the vibrant tech startup ecosystem and their role as venture catalysts.

Discover promising early-stage startups across Southeast Asia with A2D Ventures
Startups need all the support they can for fundraising, and A2D Ventures offers access to world-class investors in one platform.

Empowering financial resilience with Moomoo Singapore
Learn how Moomoo created a super app that can capture global financial markets in your pocket and invest the smarter way.

X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

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